Bung-key.



B. SMITH.

BUNG KEY. APPLICATION FI'LED MAR. 23, 1914,

LWQ MQD Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

TEFL- l [HE NDRRIS PETERS co-. FHOTO-LITHO. WASHINGTON. By C,

@TAE@ PAENT UFFKQE.

BENJAMIN SMITH, .OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE BARREL & CASK CLOSURE COMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

BUNG-KEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

Application filed March 23, 1914. Serial No. 826,769

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN SMITH, of 840- Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bung-Keys, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

when the key operatively engages the hung,

the bung may be locked in place or unlocked by a rotative movement of said key, said key being provided with means arranged to cooperate with a portion of the bung for yieldingly retaining the key in operative engagement with the bung, the parts being so arranged that both engagement and disengagement of the bung and key may be effected by a simple axial thrust or pull, respectively, of the key relative to the bung.

A fairly common type of barrel closure consists of a bung provided with. exterior threads or sloping cam members arranged to fit within a bushing permanently mounted in and lining the bung hole of the barrel, the bushing being provided with a seat for the bung and with threads or cam members adapted to cooperate with those of the bung to etl'ect locking of the hung on the seat when the bung is rotated in the proper direction, thus insuring a light closure. The bung is unlocked by rotation in the opposite direction and is then removable from the bushing. In order to lock or unlock such abung, the application of more or less force is necessary and a key or tool of some kind is therefore required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bung key which may be brought into operative engagement with a hung of this type, whether for unlocking or locking the bung, by a straight thrust movement axially of the bung, and which may be withdrawn from the bung by a straight pull.

Another object of the invention is to enable the bung to be readily inserted into or withdrawn from the bung bushing, and to prevent loss of the bung, when temporarily out of its bushing, by accidental misplacement.

A further object is to provide an arrangement of cooperating key and bung parts such that unauthorized tampering with the bulng will be prevented, or made very dithcu t.

Other objects of the invention will appear .as the description proceeds.

Briefly describechthe invention comprises a key adapted to operatively engage a hung of the type described by means of a simple thrust movement, means being also provided for automatically securing the key to the bung when said thrust movement occurs, in such manner that the key and bung are yieldingly held together, the bung remaining attached to the key and being drawn out of the bushing therewith after being unlocked, and remaining attached thereto, the key being readily separable from the bung, however, simply by a moderately strong axial pull.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a typical embodiment of the invention capable of accomplishing the object sought.

In these drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the improved bung key; Fig. 2 is a section through a bung and hung bushing with which the'improved bung key may be used; Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of the bung and bushing shown in Fig. 2, looking toward the outer end of the bung; Fig. at is a side elevation of the key at right angles to Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a central section through the key showing details of the spring clamps; Fig. 6 is a plan. on a larger scale of the key viewed from below; Fig. 7 is a similar view of a modified form of key; and Fig. 8 is a plan view of the outer end of a bung with which the key of Fig. 7 is adapted to be used.

Referring to the drawings, the shaft or stem 1 of the key is provided at one end with a cross piece or handle 2, and near the other end with a head or flange 3 carrying round locking lugs or projections 4, squared on their inner sides and here shown as symmetrically arranged onopposite sides of the center line of the key. Also extending from I described later.

the head in the same direction as the lugs 4 and practically constituting a reduced extension of stem 1 is the centrally disposed centering member 5, slotted on opposite sides as at 6 to receive resilient members such as springs 7 secured at their upper ends by counter-sunk screws 8 or other suitable means near the upper and shallower ends of the tapering slots 6 which extend for some distance above the head 3 in the key stem. It will be noticed that the lower ends of springs 7 are left free and that the springs are of irregular shape, having a pair of pro jecting shoulders l0-10 symmetrically disposed and having inclined sides forming locking notches 11 whose function will be Normally the springs are in the position shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6; but the slots or recesses in which they lie are sufficiently deep so that when said springs are pressed inwardly, they may be made to lie entirely within these slots or longitudinal recesses in the stem of the key. As shown, the springs approach each other gradually below the shoulders 10 toward the lower ends, thus affording gently sloping portions 12, whereby, if the member 5 be inserted into an orifice or recess of approxi mately its own diameter, the springs are pressed inwardly and the shoulders 10 ma dc to lie substantially flush with the outer cylindrical surface of member 5. The marginal walls of the orifice or recess into which the key is to be inserted should be so formed as to permit the springs to spread outwardly again after the member 5 has entered a sufficient distance. This will bring the shoulders 10 and locking notches 11 into suitable gripping engagement with the recess walls, thereby retaining the key in engagement with the bung with a reasonable degree of security. By reason of the inclined shape of the spring shoulders, however, the key can be withdrawn from the recess by a direct axial pull against the yielding resistance offered by the springs. It will be noticed that in the arrangement shown, the notches 11 lie slightly below the head 3, so that when the spring clamps ride over and pass beyond the outer edges of the orifice into which the member 5 is inserted, the margm of said orifice if properly formed, is closely confined between the head 3 and shoulders 10, this arrangement affording a relatively tight engagement and substantially eliminating all play.

Any desired type of locking bung suitably formed to receive the key may be employed. A bung with which said key may be advantageously employed is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The hung in this instance is hollow andlc omprises two sections 20 and 21 which are rotatable relatively to each other but which are held against relative axial or longitudinal movement by means of a resilient annulus such as a split or divided ring 22 of suitable spring wire or the like. This spring wire cooperates with annular grooves 23 and 2st respectively of sections 20 and 21, groove 23 being of a depth approximately equal to the diameter of the wire, while groove 24- is best of somewhat less depth. In oining the two bung sections, the ends of the wire annulus 22, which has been previously shaped so that its normal diameter exceeds that of section 20 of the bung, are held by a suitable tool so that the wire annulus lies wholly within groove 23. The lower bung section is then telescoped over the flanged portion of section 20, and upon registry of grooves 23 and 24 the spring annulus 23 tends to expand to its normal diameter, thus partially entering groove 2% and ell ectually locking the bung sections together permanently, while permitting free relative rotation of the parts.

The inner face 25 of bung section 21 is imperforate as shown, this section of the bung constituting a plug closure. Said bung section is provided with a peripheral groove or recess 26 for conveniently holding a gasket 27 seating on an inwardly projecting flange 28 of a bung bushing secured as by threads 29 in a bung hole formed in the cask or barrel 30.

The outer bung section 20 is provided with a central orifice 31 of a diameter approximately equal to that of member 5 of the key; while orifices 32 are arranged to receive pegs or locking lugs 4. Section 20 also has oppositely disposed marginal projections 33 which are corrugated or notched on their upper faces to mate with similar corrugations on the under side of ribs or ledges 3 projecting inwardly from the bung bushing. Said ribs 3% are also oppositely located and are suitably spaced apart to permit the entry between them of marginal projections 33 of the bung.

In use, the member 5 of the key is inserted into opening 31 of the hung, with members '1- in axial alinement with openings 32. The key is then given a direct axial thrust, the members 1- and 5 passing inwardly until head 3 abuts with the outer surface of the bung. During this movement, the spring clamps 7 are deflected and pressed into their respective slots or recesses; but just prior to abutment of the head 3 with the bung, the shoulders 10 of the spring clamps ride over the inner edge of orifice 31, thus permitting the spring clamps to spread outwardly again so that notches 11 engage the edges of said orifice and rounded shoulders 10 offer yielding resistance to removal of the key from the bung. It is to be noticed also that the shape of the shoulders 10 is such as to draw head 3 into firm abutment with the outer face of the bung. The key having thus been inserted into the bung, rotation to the right brings the upper corrugated faces of projections 33 into engagement with the under faces of ribs 34; which are sloped slightly to afford locking cam surfaces. As the bung is rotated to the right, for 8X- ample, these cam faces force the bung inwardly and compress gasket 27 on flange 28 thus affording a tight closure for the barrel. lit is to be noted that in this rotative movement only the upper bung section 20 moves, the lower section 21 remaining stationary so far as rotating movement is concerned and being pressed firmly down on the gasket by a direct axial thrust. In this way there is no tendency for the gasket to buckle as would be the case were section 21 rotated; and furthermore the arrangement obviously does away with wear and tear on the gasket from this source. The key may now be withdrawn from the bung by a straight axial pull, the pressure between rounded shoulders 10 and the margins of the orifice 31 serving to depress the spring clampsiinto their recesses and permitting member 5 to be drawn out. To unlock the bung, the key is inserted as before and turned in the opposite direction, and when the projections 33 are clear of ribs 34-, the bung may be withdrawn with the key, the spring clamps securing the parts together with suflicient resistance to readily permit this. The key with the bung attached may be laid to one side if desired, the attachment of the bung to the kev obviating any possibility of the bung accidentally rolling away from Where it is laid and becoming lost. When it is desired to again close the bung hole, the bung thus secured to the key may be thrust into the bushing and locked in place as above described.

It is to be understood that the specific em' bodiment of my invention here illustrated is merely typical and is capable of considerable variation within the scope of the i nvention. For example, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, it is feasible to do away with the locking lugs or pegs 4 and to square the projecting member or key end 5, the receiving orifice 31 of the bung being correspondingly shaped to receive the squared member. In this modification the clamping springs 7 may be located and arranged to coiiperate vith the squared member 5 in the same manner as described above for member 5. As shown, the head 3 of the kev may be smaller in this modified form. if desired. It is obvious also that the particular structure of the bung to be used with the described key is not essential so long as the bung is properly formed to cooperate with the locking members carried by said key to the end that the key may be automaticall secured to the bung by a simple direct thrust movement and may be withdrawn by a direct pull in the-opposite direction. The

bung, of course,

may be of the divided type here illustrated, or it may be a locking bung of any desired construction.

The novel bung disclosed above is not claimed herein but forms the subject-matter of my divisional application Serial No. 848.381, filed July 1., 1914:.

What ll claim is:

1. A bung key comprising the combination with a handle, of projecting members or lugs carried thereby and adapted to enter corresponding orifices in a bung, and resilient means carried by said key and adapted to clamp the key to the bung when said projecting members enter such orifices.

2. A bung key comprising the combination with a handle, of a locking head carried thereby, a member projecting from said head and provided with a slot, a resiliently held locking member normally projecting from said slot but adapted to be pressed thercwithin, said resilient locking member being arranged to cooperate with said lockinghead in yieldably securing the key to a bung with which the said key is adapted to be used.

3. A bung kev comprising the combination with a handle. of a locking head carried thereby, centrally located member proiecting from said head and provided with a pair of oppositely located slots. a resiliently held locking member normally projecting from each said slot but adapted to be pressed therewithin, said resilient locking member being arranged to cooperate with said locking head in yieldablv securing the key to a hung with which the said key is adapted to be used.

4. A bung key comprising the combination with a suitable stem, of a head carried thereby, a pair of lugs projecting from the head parallel to the stem, a member located between said lugs and projecting from said head in the same general direction. oppositely d sposed recesses or slots in said member, and a spring-controlled locking member arranged in ea ch said slot and normally projecting therefrom.

5. A bung key comprising a m mber adapted to enter a corresponding orifice or recess in a bung, and means for yieldingly holding said member in engagement with such bung, said means being arranged to operate automatically upon entry of said member into the bung and to permit said member to be pulled out of the bung.

6. A bung key comprising the combination, with a suitable stem having a head or flange adapted to engage the outer face of a hung and having an end portion projecting beyond said flange and adapted to enter a receiving orifice in such bung, said flange and end portion being provided with oppositely disposed recesses or slots, of resilient locking members mounted on said stem and having inclined shoulders normally projecting laterally from said slots at a location somewhat beyond said flange, said locking members being arranged to be pressed inwardly into said slots When the key is thrust into the receiving orifice of such bung.

7. The combination With a bung having a suitable orifice in its outer face, of a bung key comprising a member adapted to enter such bung orifice and means carried by said key and cooperating with said member to automatically secure said key and bung together and to yieldingly resist separation of the same.

8. The combination with a bung provided with suitable key-receiving means, of a bung key comprising a member adapted to engage such receiving means, and mechanism for clamping said key and bung together upon suitable engagement of said member with said receiving means, such clamping means being arranged to yieldingly resist removal of the key from the bung.

9. The combination with a bung provided With a key-receiving recess, of a bung key having a portion adapted to enter said recess, and resilient locking means carried by said key adjacent said portion, said locking means being adapted to cooperate with the margin of said recess after entry of said portion thereinto, and thereby to yieldingly resist removal of the key from the bung.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

BENJAMIN SMITH.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN S. Ionmncnrnn, MAURICE SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of ratents. Washington, D. C. 

